Gathering After Disaster

Intro

Spent time thinking about how we have gathered after the hurricane.

Main Idea: Gathering is fruitful after disaster

Israelites are gathering post exile. Well after returning. This gathering will provide direction for them.

Truth #1: The gathering is directed by God’s Word (1-8)

Exp. At every event, the Jews gathered together to hear the word of God. They have been back for nearly 13 years. Verse 1. Ezra the priest is living the dream. They’re commanding him to bring the Word! They craved it. Have you craved it? Verse 2. Men and women and all who could understand. Children as well. Verse 3. From morning to midday. Attentive. Verse 4. Pulpit. Men were there to help translate and teach. Verses 5-6. Amen = affirming the words Ezra was reading. Bowing face down is a sign of repentance. Verse 7. Most OT was written in Hebrew, but many spoke Aramaic. Verse 8. Spoke clearly and gave commentary on what it said. So the people could understand. Needed to be clear so they knew what to do.

Ill. Frustrating to have instructions that don’t make sense. Storage shelves for Bethany. Couldn’t understand. Took me hours. She ordered two. God’s Word is meant to instruct us, but it must be explained so that it can direct us.

Arg. The Israelites were craving God’s Word. For years in Babylon they went without.

“God’s word formed the world. God’s word formed Israel at Sinai. God’s word promised a new exodus and return from exile. God’s word set the people free from Babylon. Once free, now returned to the land with the walls rebuilt, the people look to God’s Word to form them anew.” - Jim Hamilton

Arg. We truly do crave it. We know when we have gone without.

Christ - In Christ, God’s people are gathered around his Word. They gather around His Word (the Bible) and His Word in flesh (Jesus). His Word brought about creation, but His Word (Christ) brought about salvation. Jesus, being the very Word of God, restored us to the father.

App. We gather to listen to God’s Word.

Gather. First step in discipleship pathway.

Hear God’s Word. God’s Word brought universe. It created life. Brought salvation. Nothing more central to our life than God’s Word. Points us to Jesus. Instructs our lives. Every sermon will be God’s Words, not mine.

Truth #2: The gathering celebrates God’s faithfulness (9-12)

Exp. We see the response from the people is not what Ezra hoped to communicate. He had to instruct them on how they should respond. Verse 9. Weeping in repentance. Had not kept God’s Word. Had the wrong effect on them. Why? This was a festival! Their response is not wrong. We should be led to repentance. Then, Ezra instructs them to not mourn. Verse 10. Eating together was signifying of peace. Strength = fortress, stronghold. Having his joy is what carries us through. God had restored them. Instruction led them out of grieving and into celebration. This was the fruit of God’s Word.

Ill. Instructions lead us to something. Or accomplish something. Just as instructions of storage shelves led to the completion of the shelves. God’s Word here led the people to celebrate with joy God’s faithfulness.

Arg. Gathering without celebration is unlikely to lead to celebration. There are certainly times for mourning and grief. Times for justified anger. Times for weariness to be handed off. Times of confession. Times of repentance. All must have their end because Christ resolves all of them.

Christ - Christ brings healing to the brokenhearted, peace to the angered soul, rest for the weary, forgiveness for those who confess, and a new heart for the repentant. Our gathering together is to celebrate Christ’s work in our lives. You will never hear a sermon from this pulpit that doesn’t arrive or mention Christ’s work.

App. We gather to celebrate God’s faithfulness.

Fellowship over food. Baptist tradition. December 8th, we’ll do that.

Respond to God’s Word with joy. Joy supersedes all the rest. You can grieve, and have joy.

Share that joy. Let others know why you celebrate his faithfulness.

Conclusion

We will respond with music so we can express joy.